Laterally constrained and damped mount for a hard disk drive

Abstract

An assembly that couples a spindle shaft to the cover of a hard disk drive. The disk drive has a cover that is attached to a baseplate. Extending from the baseplate is a spindle shaft which supports a hub and the magnetic disk of the drive unit. Also extending from the base is an actuator assembly that includes a motor, shaft and pivoting arms. A resilient shaft mount secures the ends of the spindle and actuator shaft to the cover of the assembly.

I claim: 
     
       1. A hard disk drive assembly comprising: an enclosure having first and second lateral surfaces, said first and second lateral surfaces being substantially parallel to one another; a spindle shaft supporting a motor for rotating one or more magnetic disks about said spindle shaft, said spindle shaft having first and second ends, said spindle shaft being fixedly coupled at said first end to said first lateral surface of said enclosure, and said spindle shaft being coupled at said second end to said second lateral surface of said enclosure, said second end of said spindle shaft having an orifice therein; and   a damping mounting member constraining said spindle shaft at said second end, said damping member coupled adjacent said second end of said spindle shaft and compressed against at least a portion of said second lateral surface so as to avoid shearing of said end of said spindle shaft with respect to said second lateral surface in response to external shock.   
     
     
       2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said orifice has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       3. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said mounting member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said mounting member comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive material. 
     
     
       5. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said mounting member has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       6. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said mounting member has a substantially cylindrical shape and a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
       7. A hard disk drive assembly comprising: an enclosure having first and second lateral surfaces, said first and second lateral surfaces being substantially parallel to one another, said second lateral surface having a recessed region;   a spindle shaft supporting a motor for rotating one or more magnetic disks about said spindle shaft, said spindle shaft having first and second ends, said spindle shaft being fixedly coupled at said first end to said first lateral surface, and at said second end to said second lateral surface, said spindle shaft having an axial orifice positioned within said second end of said spindle shaft; and   a damping mounting member constraining said spindle shaft at said second end disposed at least partially within said axial orifice and at least partially within said recessed region.   
     
     
       8. The assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said orifice has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       9. The assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said mounting member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       10. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said mounting member has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       11. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said mounting member has a substantially cylindrical shape and a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
       12. A hard disk drive assembly comprising: a baseplate;   a cover;   a spindle shaft supporting a motor for rotating one or more magnetic disks about said spindle shaft, said spindle shaft having a first end and a second end, said second end defining a second end perimeter, said spindle shaft being fixedly coupled at said first end to said baseplate, and said spindle shaft being coupled at said second end to said cover;   said cover being attached to said baseplate to enclose said spindle shaft and said disks therebetween; and   a damping mounting member constraining said spindle shaft at said second end, at least a portion of said damping member positioned within said second end perimeter and compressed against said cover during normal operation.   
     
     
       13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said second end has an orifice which has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       14. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said mounting member comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive material. 
     
     
       15. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said mounting member has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       16. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said mounting member has a substantially cylindrical shape and a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
       17. A hard disk drive assembly comprising: a baseplate;   a cover having a recessed region;   a spindle shaft supporting a motor for rotating one or more magnetic disks about said spindle shaft, said spindle shaft having first and second ends, said spindle shaft being fastened at said first end to said baseplate;   said cover being attached to said baseplate to enclose said spindle shaft and said disks therebetween; and   a damping mounting member constraining said spindle shaft at said second end compressed between said orifice and said recessed region during normal operation.   
     
     
       18. The assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein said orifice has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       19. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said mounting member has a substantially stepped cylindrical shape and a T cross-section. 
     
     
       20. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said mounting member has a substantially cylindrical shape and a rectangular cross-section.